Under this Labour government, we have seen power in the UK centralised to Whitehall to tremendous levels. The official residence of the Chief Whip in Downing St. is now occupied by Number 10 as additional offices for the PM, such is the expansion of the national government. This, despite devolution of various degrees of power to three of the four constituent nations of this country. When you consider the level of devolution which has taken place, the fact that central government has still grown to the point that it is bursting at the seams is deeply worrying. Not only is it inefficient, but it doesn't allow for local decisions to be made by local people about local concerns.
The pamphlet points out, though, that we acknowledge the glolbalisation of modern society as not just inevitable, but also essential for the development of our economies and our international relations. With this principle in mind, it is important to acknowledge that, at times, you must also pass up power to supranational organisations. This isn't contrary to our commitment to localism: local decisions will still be made by local people where as national and international decisions will be made on the national and international level. You wouldn't expect Hertfordshire to make decisions on foreign policy any more than you'd hope the UN to be able to decide how often your bins should be collected in Birmingham.
This is why we, as Liberal Democrats are pro-Europe. We believe a strong European Union is a valuable asset and we Europeans are stronger together. That is not to say that we believe the EU at the moment is perfect. Nor even near perfect.
We believe that the EU has a great footing but even greater potential. It is only common sense that we be part of the EU to help it achieve that potential.
From the outside we can't make the EU more democratic or accountable. From the outside we can't make the EU more transparent. From the outside we can't work to make the EU less wasteful. These things can only be done as active members of the European community.
As a Liberal Democrat, I strongly support the principle of having a President of the European Council. As others have rightly pointed out, he wouldn't be 'President of Europe', but he or she would be a figure-head. He'd be a long-term figure in a body where few know even who their local representives are.
As a Liberal Democrat, with the view that Europe is a key part of our future but that the European Union must change if it is to win over the hearts and minds of Europeans, I desperately want a President who can urge this upon the EU. A president who is not afraid of reforming tired organisations, stuck in their ways, and turning them from something which has a relationship of antipathy with the general public and gaining, over time, public support for that organisation. I would like to see a President who is a political heavyweight, known across the world and able to bridge the gap between Europe and the rest of the world. A political heavyweight with the experience of changing political institutions.
That's why, as a Liberal Democrat, I'm supporting Tony Blair for President of the European Council. I disagree with Blair on a lot but on Europe, we agree and aside from our differences, I have a great level of respect for him.
This isn't a partisan issue, Blair won't be a New Labour President, he will be a pro-Europe, reformist President with a lot of gravitas and influence and that is something all Liberal Democrats should be looking for.
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